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More than 1.7 million Los Angeles County residents struggled with hunger in 2009, more than in any other county in America, according to new research published by Feeding America, the country’s largest network of food banks.
The study, called Map the Meal Gap, uses statistics collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Census Bureau and other agencies to profile food insecurity across America. “It’s hard to imagine in a nation that grows much of the world’s food that people cannot always afford to feed themselves or their kids,” said Vicki Escarra, Feeding America’s president and chief executive. “But the fact is that domestic hunger is a serious problem.” The study found that there are people in every county who at times can’t provide enough food for an active and healthy life for every household member -- the USDA measure for food insecurity. Rates ranged from 5% in Steel County, S.D. to 38% in Wilcox County, Ala. At nearly 17%, the rate in Los Angeles was about the same as the national average. But in nearby Imperial County, it climbed to more than 31%. “Hunger is closer than one might think,” Escarra said at a news conference Thursday in Washington, D.C., to announce the findings. Matthew Sharp, a senior advocate with California Food Policy Advocates, attributed the high number of food insecure Angelenos to “the extraordinary cost of living and low wages.” Unemployment remains high in California and those returning to the workforce often find that they can’t get the hours or salaries they need. The study found that many of those at risk of hunger don’t qualify for federal nutrition benefits, including about a third of the more than 6 million food insecure Californians in 2009, the most recent year for which data is available. More than half of these Californians did not meet the income requirements for food stamps -- known locally as CalFresh -- and an estimated 33% did not qualify for other programs such as free or reduced-price school meals. Eligibility for these programs is linked to the federal poverty level, which advocates of low-income families have long argued is a poor measure of what it takes to make ends meet. To qualify for food stamps, for example, households cannot earn more than 130% of the poverty level. That was $28,655 a year for a family of four in 2009, the most recent year for which food insecurity data is available. The maximum threshold for most other nutrition programs is 185% of the poverty level, then $40,793 a year for a family of four. Previous studies only provided state-level food insecurity estimates, which researchers said were too broad to help local organizations address the need in their communities. In counties like Imperial, Kern and Tulare, the study found that more than 60% of those at risk of hunger could be eligible for food stamps. Such areas might benefit from more outreach about federal nutrition programs, the study said. While the food stamp rolls have been increasing in California, participation in the program has been among the lowest in the nation. Just half of the eligible Californians received the benefit in 2008, the most recent year for which federal estimates are available. In counties with a higher proportion of food insecure people who are not eligible for government assistance, the burden to help often falls on family members and local charities. The number of people fed by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank increased from about 674,000 in 2006 to more than 1 million last year, said the group’s president and chief executive, Michael Flood. Although the food bank has been able to increase the volume of food it provides to food pantries, soup kitchens and other programs, supply has not kept pace with demand. Some have had to turn people away empty-handed, Flood said. Link to source: http://lat.ms/fIlOIo
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German exchange buying New York Stock Exchange.
On the face of it, a German company is buying an icon of American capitalism. The reality of Deutsche Boerse AG’s proposed acquisition of the New York Stock Exchange is more complex. For one thing, two of Deutsche Boerse’s largest shareholders are American. Also, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange isn’t entirely American. NYSE Euronext Inc. was formed in a merger between the NYSE and a group of European exchanges in 2007. Euronext itself was created in 2000 from the combination of stock markets in Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. The proposed merger of Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext, announced Tuesday, would create a worldwide owner of financial markets that would be incorporated in the Netherlands. The new company would have dual headquarters in New York and Frankfurt. CME Group Inc., owner of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, held Tuesday to its “no comment” stance about reports that it might submit a competing offer. NYSE Euronext is already global. U.S. stock and derivatives trading contribute only 14.4 percent of its revenue, while 34.6 percent comes from European trading. Similarly, Deutsche Boerse owns the American options exchange International Securities Exchange. Five of its 10 largest shareholders are American, according to FactSet. Oscar nominees actor Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right) and director Josh Fox (Gasland), visiting Capitol Hill, urged lawmakers to close oil and gas industry loopholes and exemptions enabling natural gas drillers to use hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") techniques to blast underground deposits with toxics-laced water. U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), appearing with Ruffalo and Fox, pledged to reintroduce legislation requiring federal regulation of fracking. "If hydraulic fracturing is so safe, why is the industry so afraid of letting the EPA make sure?" Hinchey said. Reps. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) backed calls for safety legislation. Later, the actor and director hosted a special screening of Gasland with representatives from Environmental Working Group, Natural Resources Defense Council and Earthjustice.
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Regarding real estate rentals in California a strange development seems to be unfolding. In out lying commuter suburban areas we are seeing a negative effect of suburban sprawl. Residential dead zones: massive amounts of empty homes, cheap rent and no economic opportunties. In contrast, the bay area is seeing more vacant McMansions and ex-homeowners pushing apartment rentals through the roof. Scott currently rents a two bedroom for $2000 per month. Americans are downsizing but is some markets they are pushing costs up as they flood into certain areas of the economy.
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producer@thevinnyeastwoodshow.com A report from our man on the street George from Southern California....Are companies targeting veteran employees to reduce costs and increase profit margins. This women was employed by Stater Bros. Grocery chain for 15 years and after taking 3 months off to care for her dying mother, was fired and denied unemployment benefits. After losing her home and cars, she moved in with another family and is receiving welfare benefits. She has recently procured a bank teller job for $10 per hour at 20 hours a week.
Introduction by Mitch Santell The text that follows is from Jeff Rense who is a brave American. Why is he so brave? he is willing to share a story that you won't see on the nightly news. What is that story? The story of The Gulf Oil Spill. There is a document called "Coming Clean From Denial to Detox" that is at the bottom of this posting and you are welcome to down load (yes it's free) and send it to as many people as you can. A dedication Written by Jeff Rense This is dedicated to each and every one of our fellow Americans who are living in the entire Gulf region...and who are suffering as a result of the 2010 BP Gulf oil disaster. Never forget, no matter how hopeless and discouraged you may become, that you are NOT alone. There are countless millions of Americans who care and are profoundly con- cerned about what has been done to you, your families and our once beautiful and bountiful Gulf. The tragic effects this catastrophe has had on your lives, health, and homes shall never be forgotten nor efforts to lessen the damage abandoned. The purpose of this book is to underscore that concern and to inform and engage you in taking respon- sibility for your own health and the health of your loved ones. The longest journey begins with a single first step... We most sincerely hope this book might be that first step for many who are in true need of help and guidance.
Dozens of Pentagon staff and contractors with high-level security clearance have been found by US federal investigators to have downloaded child pornography.
A spokesman said the defence department takes such matters seriously but would not comment on specific cases. The Pentagon concern is not just that crimes have been committed, though that alone would be grounds for dismissal, but that it makes those involved security risks. One of those charged was a contractor who had security clearance at the National Security Agency, which eavesdrops on communications worldwide. He fled the US and is thought to be hiding in Libya. Details about links between the Pentagon and child pornography were disclosed yesterday in the Boston Globe. The paper quotes an internal report from the defence criminal investigative service in 2009 which says that though the number found to be involved is small compared with the number employed by the defence department and related organisations, it leaves those involved "at risk of blackmail, bribery, and threats, especially since these individuals typically have access to military installations". Some of the pornography was downloaded on government computers. The Globe obtained 50 pages of documents relating to an investigation by the inspector-general of the Pentagon that had not been made public. At least 30 cases have been investigated. One case involved a national security official who possessed 8,400 pictures and 200 films and was sentenced to five years in prison. Many others have also been sentenced and more people are still under investigation. Another individual alleged to have been involved was working at the national reconnaissance office in Virginia, which operates the military's spy satellites. He was not charged but sent to a lower level job in a field office in New Mexico. Some of the cases came to light as a result of an investigation by the immigration and customs agency, whose Operation Flicker in 2006 identified 5,000 people who had paid for access to overseas pornography websites. Among the 5,000 were a contractor at a weapons-testing base in California and another at a naval air warfare centre in the same state. Illustrating the problems of bringing cases to court, a manager at an advanced secret weapons centre was found to have images on his computer that appeared pornographic -- but it could not be established that the children had been abused. A worker at a separate establishment also had pornographic images but the ages of those involved could not be determined and so it could not be established they were children. Tree of Life, winner of 2007 Marijuana Music Awards Best Music Video! An educational music video about the many industrial uses and health benefits of the American Hemp plant.
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